BENTLEY GOES RACING

Continental GT3 Makes Debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed

Bentley has a long and legendary history in racing, including winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans six times between 1924 and 2003.  The marque’s newest racing program involves a race-prepared GT3 version of the Continental with a 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V-8 producing 600 horsepower under the hood.

Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a carbon fiber propshaft to an Xtrac six-speed sequential gearbox with a limited slip differential, mounted as a transaxle for optimized weight distribution. Gear actuations are completed via a pneumatic shift system, controlled by paddles mounted to the steering wheel.

A double wishbone suspension configuration front and rear, fitted with four-way adjustable racing dampers, replaces the standard road-car air springs. The steering system features hydraulic power-assistance, while braking is via ventilated iron discs combined with six-piston calipers on the front and four-piston calipers on the rear.

The exterior of the car features a comprehensive aerodynamic package, to maximize downforce with optimized drag. A top-mounted carbon fibrerrear wing provides rear downforce and stability, while a carbon fiber splitter balances the aerodynamic forces at the front of the car. Revisions have been made to the bonnet, bumpers, fenders and sills in order to optimize the car’s drag coefficient and to assist with engine cooling.

With the removal of the leather and wood interior trim, the production electrical systems and advanced refinement materials that make the Continental GT such a capable Grand Tourer, the Continental GT3 weighs in under its target of 1300 kg. Despite the race-specification, the GT3 remains a hand-crafted Bentley, with the steering wheel, door pulls and seat all hand-trimmed and stitched by Bentley craftspeople at Crewe.

Once homologation with the FIA has been completed, the GT3 will enter its first development races before starting full competition in the FIA Blancpain Series in 2014.

While the Bentley Continental GT3 is not for sale, the impressive vehicle that forms the basis for the racing model is available from Braman Bentley Palm Beach.